Beer, Bikes, and Snow

With my first CX race of the 2015 season out of the way, Nittany CX would be no problem. Right? The week leading up to Nittany, our cat Grasshopper got very sick.  The emotional roller coaster I went through had me wondering if I would race at all that weekend.  Long story short, we got good news the night before our races and I wanted to spend the weekend with friends and teammates. The course was similar to previous years and I got in a few laps before the countdown to my race.  I knew how I wanted to take the corners, where the roots were and what pressure I would run in my tires.  I started to feel a drizzle as I finished my warm-up and headed to the start line. Since it was a UCI race and I have no points, my start position would be total luck.  Well, actually a lottery.  I lined up toward the back with most of my friends and familiar faces.  I was completely relaxed and laughing.  I waited for the countdown and the ladies field was o...

Earlier in the summer I was watching for the 2015 CX schedules to be posted.   Granogue popped up and I jumped at the opportunity to register early for the race.   Last year it made a come back by promoters Paul and Lisa, and it was an incredible race.  I couldn't wait! This year, Granogue would be the first race of the season for me.  The days leading up to the race, I was calm and relaxed.  I knew the property and saw the course map, knowing where some of the key features would be. We arrived on the DuPont property and my anxiety started to rise.  First-race-of-the-season jitters.  Was I ready for this? Wondering if all my "playing" this summer was going to show? I picked up my number, pre-rode the course, and said hello to friends I hadn't seen in a while. I helped Lance get ready for his race and had to get ready for my own.  I removed myself from most of the people and hid in the shade.  I plugged in my ear buds to drown out an...

Since my last garden post  at the end of June, I had a busy summer.  My tomatoes were starting to pop and I picked my first zucchini.   Oh and yes, the Garden Mayor sent a flurry of emails over the summer...mostly about our hose/water situation.  Apparently *someone* was leaving the water on.  She claimed it was the local kids playing with the key and hose at night.  Mind you, the water shut off is next to the police station. I find it hard to believe that kids have nothing better to do than play with water, next to the police station.  But anyway... The start of July, I was picking a few zucchini every other day.  It was zucchini overload! My cucumbers were starting to sprout. With all the zucchini I had, I experimented with zucchini bread recipes, varying the flours and oils used.  I found that the oat flour and coconut oil gave it more of a cupcake flavor and texture.  I tried almond flour with sorghum, which was m...